Marilyn Horta, Ph.D.
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marilynhorta.bsky.social
Marilyn Horta, Ph.D.
@marilynhorta.bsky.social
86 followers 150 following 6 posts
Applied Research Scientist at Moffitt Cancer Center | Social Cognition | Health Behavior | Aging | Chronic Pain #NIDAT32 #NIAT32
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marilynhorta.bsky.social
I'll be at SRNT for the first time this week. Stop by my poster and let's talk accessibility for smoking cessation mhealth interventions!
Thursday, March 13 from 5:15pm to 6:45pm poster presentation p278 The limits of capitalizing on new technology: evaluating accessibility of an augmented reality intervention for smoking cessation
March 10, 2025 at 4:37 PM
marilynhorta.bsky.social
New protocol paper is out describing the use of augmented reality for smoking cessation treatment along with app usability findings. Paper was led by our talented T32 postdoc, Dr. Ranjita Poudel. authors.elsevier.com/c/1kXDg5WqQh...
Background: Augmented Reality (AR) is a rapidly developing technology with potential utility for treating addictive behaviors, including tobacco smoking. AR inserts digital images into a natural real-time scene as viewed on a smartphone or other video devices. With respect to smoking cessation, AR can place virtual smoking cues (i.e., smoking “triggers”) within an individual’s natural smoking environment. Repeated exposure to these cues could enhance smoking cessation through Pavlovian extinction processes. Method: In a usability study (N = 10), we evaluated the acceptability of a smoking cessation AR app to inform modifications to the app prior to an upcoming randomized controlled trial (RCT). For the subsequent RCT, in dividuals who enroll in a state tobacco quitline will be referred to the study and, if eligible and consented, randomized to use the app with AR features or without AR features (control) for 5 weeks. The efficacy of the AR features to enhance smoking cessation in the context of concurrent quitline treatment will be evaluated with the primary outcome of self-reported 7-day point-prevalence cigarette abstinence at 6 months post-enrollment. Implementation will be evaluated via incremental cost-effectiveness analyses and interviews with participants, quitline staff, and app coaches. Conclusions: Interventions utilizing emerging mobile technologies such as AR have the potential, compared to traditional therapies, to improve both reach and efficacy by administering therapeutic elements in users’ natural environments. Our AR app will target tobacco smoking, but the approach could be used to deliver exposure therapies for other addictive behaviors, as well as anxiety disorders.
February 14, 2025 at 7:28 PM